Nearly 100 percent of Manhattan Beach residents aged 65 and over have received at least their first vaccination against the COVID-19 virus, the Los Angeles County Department of Health has reported.

City-wide, 81 percent of Manhattan Beach residents ages 16 and over have received at least one vaccination, according to the latest numbers. 

And among youth ages 12 to 17, 57 percent have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Despite Manhattan Beach's relatively high vaccination rates, however, the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to climb. 

In the past week, the number of new cases in Manhattan Beach has more than tripled (from 7 new cases last week to 25 new cases this week). This week's case number also stands in contrast to several weeks in May and June when there was only one new case per week.

Cases are on the rise across L.A. County as well, as concern over the more-easily-transmitted Delta variant continues to mount.

On Thursday the L.A. County Public Health Department confirmed the highest number of new COVID-19 cases since mid-March with 1,537 new cases.

By contrast, just one month ago on June 15, the day of the county's full reopening, L.A. County saw 210 new COVID-19 cases.

In light of the increase in cases, L.A. County will re-institute the mask requirement for all individuals for indoor activities beginning this weekend.

“We expect to keep masking requirements in place until we begin to see improvements in our community transmission of COVID-19," said Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis in a statement on Thursday. "But waiting for us to be at high community transmission level before making a change would be too late. Masking indoors must again become a normal practice by all, regardless of vaccination status, so that we can stop the trends and level of transmission we are currently seeing. We continue to urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and their family and friends. Becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19 remains the best protective action that people can take if they are eligible for it. Although not at 100%, it significantly reduces the risk of infection and, for the small number of people that get infected, it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death once you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.”

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. To find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or are over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home visit if you are homebound.

Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.